In March 2007 Edu Falaschi released a first solo album under the moniker Almah (“soul” in Portuguese) with material he could not get rid of in Angra. Many things have changed since then. Angra is taking a break due to management issues and what once started as a solo project with famous co-musicians, has become a real band. When Edu wanted to play live with Almah he could not make an appeal to his very famous friends since they were all busy with their own bands (Nightwish, Kamelot and Stratovarius). But look: under this review you find the metal outfit supporting Edu on the road as well. Remarkable is the presence of Angra bass player Felipe Andreoli.

‘Fragile Equality’ is much heavier than the debut. It was the intention when I talked to Edu at that time (interview here ) and so it was done. Only two ballads and that is enough, indeed, since it is better when the band is keen as mustardlike in the dramatic mauling ‘You’ll Understand’. A song like ‘Scary Zone’ of the debut seems to be a prototype for the current musical direction of Almah. Consequently we can enjoy a proper Dream Theater alike progressive heaviness in some of the songs. Even a few thrash influences can be noticed in the furthermore quite progressive tinged title track and the following ‘Torn’.

From the very outset in ‘Birds Of Prey’ they pound and hammer in a pure power metal attack. Now and then we have a softer vocal passage or soaring keyboards in the back, but most of the time prevail the flashing guitar solos and heavy riffs of Marcelo Barbosa and Paulo Schroeber. Especially this soloing is a lust for our ears. In the form of ‘All I Am’ and the magnificent ‘Shade Of My Soul’ we have two thoughtful balladesque moments, while the Brazilian roots pop up in the semi-acoustic beginning of ‘Invisible Cage’, soon evolving towards Dream Theater at full force. The whole band contributed to the writing process of ‘Fragile Equality’ while the production was in the hands of Edu himself with bassist Felipe Andreoli. ‘Fragile Equality’ is a more coherent album than its predecessor and recommended to fans of melodic, yet furious neo-classical power metal. And of course no Angra fan will be disappointed in ‘Fragile Equality’.